Morning bird: Deputies could vote on the confidence of Babiš's coalition government today. The court is deciding whether Le Pen will be able to run for president.
The majority cabinet of ANO, SPD and Motorists could gain the support of up to 108 deputies in the two-hundred-member Chamber of Deputies. To express confidence, the government only needs votes from a majority of the deputies present, unlike a no-confidence vote, which requires the proponents to secure at least 101 votes. The court, which found Marine Le Pen guilty of misappropriating EU funds, continues its proceedings because this French politician has appealed. She was originally given a four-year prison sentence.
The Chamber of Deputies approaches the final vote on the new government
Today, deputies will continue their discussion on expressing confidence in Andrej Babiš's coalition cabinet (ANO). The actual vote could take place in the evening, according to information from the government camp. The government trio ANO, SPD and motorists comfortly hold a majority in the lower chamber, therefore the government is likely to gain confidence. The Prime Minister introduced the government program in the Chamber of Deputies and all the ministers discussed their priorities, according to the server Ceskenoviny.cz.
Le Pen appeals against embezzlement verdict
French far-right politician Marine Le Pen returned to court to appeal against an embezzlement verdict. Her presidential ambitions for 2027 depends on the outcome of the case under discussion. The 57-year-old Le Pen is trying to overturn a March decision which found her guilty of misusing European Parliament funds. As a result, she was sentenced to a five-year ban on holding elected positions and two-year house arrest with an electronic tag, reported CNN.
Prosecution demands death penalty for South Korean former president Jun Sok-jol
The death penalty for the former South Korean president Jun Sok-jol is demanded by a special prosecutor for declaring martial law in the country in 2024, wrote the portal Ceskenoviny.cz. He justified the step at the time with the opposition's alleged sympathies towards North Korea and anti-state activities of opposition leaders. However, just a few hours after the announcement of martial law, the parliament stood against the president and the exceptional regime was ultimately abolished by the government. The trial with the sixty-five year old politician, who is facing charges of a number of criminal offenses, including rebellion and abuse of power, is now nearing its end.
America labels Muslim Brotherhood as "terrorists"
The United States has labeled the Muslim Brotherhood organizations in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan as "terrorist" groups. This happens at a time when they are intensifying their strikes against Israeli rivals around the world. Donald Trump has reportedly already issued an order directing his administration to begin the process of listing these groups on the blacklist, reported Al Jazeera.
More people died in France for the first time since World War II than were born
France last year recorded more deaths than births for the first time since the end of World War II. The National Statistical Office INSEE announced last year 651 thousand deaths and 645 thousand births, which dropped since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. It shows that the country is not immune to the demographic crisis that burdens public finance across the continent. The fertility rate fell to 1.56 children per woman, which is the lowest level since the First World War, reported CNN.
Sources: CNN, Al Jazeera, Ceskenoviny.cz
